Mastering Milestones in Autism Remediation Kathy Darrow, BA Mom and RDI Certified Consultant Autism One 2012

Connect Care Collaborate

NOW WHAT?? What did I want for my boys? What defines a good quality of life?

Quality of Life Measurements Friendship Marriage Employment Independence Family

Employers are looking for… FlexibilityProblem solving skills The ability to collaborate with others CreativityThe ability to integrate ideas The ability to share perspectives

Connect, Care, Collaborate, Compete the foundations needed ……. –For home –For school –For friendships –Understanding the core reasons for relationships And Ultimately compete in the world as an independent adult

Goldfish Broccoli

How did we learn? twins - perspective taking twins - perspective taking What are the foundations for development for further problem solving, skills, perspective taking, Friendships, employability…and on and on……

Video examples

What is Dynamic Thinking/ Intelligence What you can do with what you know Learning through shared experiences Involves major processes like flexible thinking, reflection, experience sharing communication, and self awareness Rapidly & effectively review options and select the best-fitting responses in the face of complex, changing environments. Understand that even the most careful plans and well thought-out strategies will inevitably require revision Strongly motivated to gain more understanding and competence in the world. A desire to expand what they can do, where they can do it and who they can do it with. Actively seek to construct and revise meaning wherever and whenever they can, including personal and shared experiences and experiences of failure as well as success and so much more

AREA STATIC INTELLIGENCE (Static Abilities) DYNAMIC INTELLIGENCE (Dynamic Disabilities) Thinking and Problem Solving (Cognition) Associative Black & White Detail Analysis Parts – to – whole Procedural Rule-based thinking Alternative thinking Critical thinking Good enough thinking Grey area thinking (fuzzy logic) Hypothetical (“what if”) Improvisational thinking Reflection Simultaneous processing Social & Communication Desire Language Questioning Requesting Responding Scripting Social Rules Collaborating Co-creating Empathizing Multi-Channel communication Perspective taking Regulating & Repairing SelfCompliance Self-description Self-recognition Needs Desires Preferences Emotional regulation Goal-setting Planning, preparing, previewing Self-efficacy, resilience Self-evaluating Troubleshooting

Bio Medical + Dynamic thinking Core areas that need to be addressed in children with ASD Health and movement that may need to be addressed in children with ASD The Gut Vitamin Deficiency inflammationReflexesSensoryFood AllergiesYeastAuditory More….. unique to each child

Breaking it down Intersubjectivity is "The sharing of subjective (Mental)states by two or more individuals." (Scheff 2006). It refers to shared emotion (attunement), shared attention, and shared intention. Inter Happening between people Subjectivity Your unique appraisal, thoughts, perceptions, feelings, memories and dreams

Primary Intersubjectivity 16 How coordinated are we? The topic is “us” (Peek-a-boo) Coordinating actions and emotional states (3-9 months) Your actions and reactions My actions and reactions Daniel Stern/Alan Fogel

What does The Remediation process look like Typical developing childRDI’s second chance

Secondary Intersubjectivity 18 A common external reference point The topic is our shared experience of what we see, hear, feel, taste and smell (Looking at something together) My reactions to what we perceive Your reactions to what we perceive Coordinating subjective reactions to common perceptions (9-15 months)

What does the Remediation process look like Typical developing childRDI’s second chance

20 Third Level Intersubjectivity My Actions Your actions My intentions and your intentions The topic is our expectations and intentions (Knowing your partner’s next action without him/her telling you) Interpreting your intentions through your actions (15-24 months)

What does The Remediation Process look like Typical developing childRDI’s second chance

Fourth Level Intersubjectivity 22 Balancing The topic is coordinating our shared internal and external worlds (Figuring how to blend your perceptions with your partner’s perceptions) external and internal reference points (24-36 months) Inner relationship with oneself Awareness and curiosity about other “selves”

What does the Remediation process look like Typical developing childRDI’s second chance

24 Fifth Level Intersubjectivity Integrating experiences over time Topics are about reminiscing, reflection, and collaborative planning (A conversation with friends about a past trip) My mind Past, present and future Your mind Past, present and future

Typical development answers the question…. Is there something missing?

Take home strategies to foster dynamic thinking When engaging with your child remember the 4 S’s 1.Keep it Simple 2.Keep it Slow 3.Keep it Short

Keep it Simple Simplify the demands for your child ( just a small challenge so they feel safe) Simplify the environment. We want the relationship to be the most powerful thing Simplify and balance the “to do” list Plan ahead to incorporate moments in the day for experience sharing and to foster thinking You should not always feel rushed!

Dr. Gutstein

Keep it slow Slow down your pace and give your child time to process your actions Give your child time to study any situation You should not be doing all the work in the interaction…keeping it slow shows your child you will wait for them…their input is valuable Count 30 seconds before jumping in, to practice giving that crucial time needed

Dr Gutstein

Dr. Gutstein

Keep it short ( at first) Our kids need to build resilience We want them feeling safe and understand that we want to share an experience with them, not concentrate on a task Competency helps our kids to see the *relationship* in the engagement End the activity on a positive note

4. Self Dialogue Thinking out loud This lets your child understand how to start borrowing your perspective without direct instruction from you Remember how early this process starts in typical development!!! They get to ponder and think with no pressure!! Verbalize your thinking in a created “situation” Choose from different options Specify how you “arrived” at your decision The best option to use Reflect if there is a better way for “next time” Consider the end result, then review

Creating an optimal communication environment for thinking- Mindfully engaged-Optimal I’m getting ready to leave I’m finished my turn You are going faster That food was delicious Being told/prompting Put your shoes on It’s your turn Slow down Finish eating I can’t reachWhat a messWowI’m leaving I feelThis is dirtyUh OhYummmm I wonderI see itOhhhhhhhThis is heavy Starter statements to promote thinking

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